League Two Playoff Final 2016: Score, Reaction for AFC Wimbledon vs. Plymouth
AFC Wimbledon gained promotion to League One for the first time in their history on Monday after a late Lyle Taylor finish guided them to a 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle in Wembley's League Two play-off final. Substitute Adebayo Akinfenwa converted a penalty in the ninth minute of added time to put the play-off to bed.
Victory brought an end to AF Wimbledon's five-year stay in League Two and marked a turn-up for the bookmakers after they finished seventh in the division, the lowest-ranked outfit of any play-off contender this term.
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Monday's Wembley showdown was far from epic, but Taylor's timely winner ensured manager Neal Ardley's side will play in English football's third tier for the first time in their 14-year history.
The Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson lauded the young club's rise, not to mention the derby fixture to come next season following MK Dons' relegation from the Championship:
The stakes were high for both teams after the two contenders started off in a tense and tetchy manner, with each side aware of the prize that could elude whomever blinked first.
Jamille Matt took up his perch as Plymouth's main target up front, while the partnership of Tom Elliott and Taylor led the line for Wimbledon in what made for a far different attacking approach.
Elliott in particular—standing tall at 6'3"—was utilised for his aerial threat and posed as a foundation for Taylor to run off, which worked wonders for patches of the opening half, but with little impact on goal to show for it.
Even Plymouth's official Twitter account couldn't help but point out the slightly tedious dynamic of the Wembley decider after the two teams went in scoreless at the half-time interval:
Wimbledon looked the superior party in the first 30 minutes, but after assuming control coming in at the break, it was the Pilgrims who came out firing after the restart, largely thanks to winger Gregg Wylde.
However, that good work was almost undone by midfielder Carl McHugh, who attempted a nonsensical chip back to goalkeeper Luke McCormick and almost netted in his own goal. Wembley's official Twitter account described the head-scratching attempt:
Although the quality of the football on display was unremarkable, both sets of supporters were in stellar voice in London. Wimbledon brought 25,000 supporters, while Plymouth hauled 35,000 to Wembley, per the Guardian's Michael Butler.
Taylor finally provided the breakthrough with just over 10 minutes remaining, sending the Wombles supporters into ecstasy with his glanced right-foot finish from a Callum Kennedy cross. OptaJoe pointed out the 26-year-old Montserrat international has enjoyed his recent appearances against Argyle:
It was also worth noting the effect that super-substitute Akinfenwa had in the build-up. He sucked Plymouth's defenders toward him shortly before Taylor made the big impact, per Bet365:
Plymouth chief Derek Adams attempted to topple the scoreline late on after throwing on Reuben Reid and Jordon Forster, but it wasn't enough to surmount Wimbledon's charge.
Taylor had a prime chance to double his tally late on, but he came off with a cramp in place of Ade Azeez, and it was Akinfenwa who converted a penalty deep into added time to seal the victory:
Monday's play-off triumph means Wimbledon will compete for a spot in the Championship come the 2016-17 campaign—a far cry from their days in the Combined Counties League Premier Division 14 years ago.
From the depths of England's tiers to League One, Wimbledon's rise continued with a historic landmark win at Wembley and sealed the club's third time gaining promotion via the play-offs.
Post-Match Reaction
The scenes at Wembley painted a picture of just what a special moment Monday's win was in Wimbledon's short history, and Ardley knows the club's talents like few others, having taken over at their helm in 2012.
Promotion to League One was the ultimate payoff for all his hard work, and he put into words his admiration for the organisation at full time, per BBC Sport's Juliette Ferrington:
"Neil Ardley @AFCWimbledon "I'm proud to play a part in this wonderful story, because this club means so much to me." pic.twitter.com/qs2ShARPHV
— juliette ferrington (@juliette_grace) May 30, 2016"
As emotional as the players were, Ardley was also eager to get involved in the promotion celebrations, too, as George Smyly, sport PR for JSC Communications, posted footage of his full-time reaction:
Despite the win, Akinfenwa, a free agent next month, made sure to put the feelers out for potential new employers, according to Radio 5 Live host Mark Chapman:
Wimbledon were last to make it into the League Two play-offs this season, but their reward was all the sweeter because of it, and Ardley's masterminded project will continue in the third tier next season.
